"There's no way around it. Oh, that's not important. You want to go to the station, right? I'll lead the way. Take a look at the data first. Ask me if you don't understand anything."
The "Missing High School Girl Case": About three months ago, Hirano Mai mysteriously disappeared after school. They investigated Hirano Mai's social circle; she never stayed out overnight, didn't have many friends, and didn't have any casual acquaintances. They also interviewed witnesses, but few saw any suspicious figures in the areas where Hirano Mai frequented.
There are indeed too few clues.
When the project hit a bottleneck, someone discovered Mai Hirano's hair clip, and the place where it was found was near the police station in the 8th ward.
"Next to the police station in District 8?"
"Yes. The item was placed on the side of the road in front of the police station, in a very conspicuous location."
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"Did someone find it and deliberately place it in front of the police station?"
"If that's the case, it should be handed over directly to the relevant law enforcement officers. However, if there are any difficulties preventing it from being handed over directly to the relevant law enforcement officers, that's another matter."
"The difficulty in not directly handing it over to the relevant law enforcement personnel."
“For example, the other party is related to this case. Something like that.” Shoufeng turned around and gave Amen a meaningful look, then said to him, “Mr. Amen, as I just said, I believe this case is the work of humans.”
Shoufeng has always stuck to this viewpoint, and he expressed this idea when he discussed it with Yiliu. He firmly believes in it.
"But it's covered in ghoul bodily fluids."
Because the evidence points to ghouls, the case was transferred from a regular police station to the investigation team. This is reasonable and well-founded. Ghoul bodily fluids are irrefutable evidence, as they are completely different from those of ordinary humans and have undergone rigorous testing.
"Yes, but that hairpin was placed next to the police station? Since they entrusted the relevant law enforcement personnel, it means they want us to arrest a human being, right?"
"Don't you think this reasoning is too simplistic? For the public, law enforcement officers are easier to approach than the CCG, right? Given that, it's not surprising that the other party would first think of handing it over to law enforcement officers."
"That can't be the case, can it?"
Shoufeng said noncommittally, while looking away.
“This matter has become even more complicated,” Shoufeng said suddenly, changing the subject, “We’ll be at the station soon!”
After saying that, Shoufeng fell silent.
They remained silent about the topic they had just discussed.
The day ended just like that, without any progress in battle. The sun was setting, its afterglow casting a lonely glow on the town's streets. Each of the three had their own thoughts, yet all shared a sense of disappointment.
This applies to both Shoufeng and Yamen.
Amon planned to return to the CCG, so he said goodbye to Mori. As Mori turned to leave, he suddenly turned back to Amon and said something.
"I'll go there tomorrow too."
……
CCG, 8th District Branch.
"Amen, you've worked hard. How was today?"
"Are you getting along well with Mr. Shoufeng?"
Amon ran into Ichiryu and Tojo as soon as he returned to the precinct. Ichiryu quickened his pace and walked over, seemingly very worried about Amon. Tojo followed closely behind Ichiryu, eager to know what had happened after they left.
"No results were achieved today."
"Things won't be resolved so easily. For now, just focus on getting familiar with District 8. By the way, Amen, want to grab a drink?"
Yiliu made a drinking gesture, thinking that Amon was just too stressed, and that such high-intensity work would actually reduce efficiency, so he invited him to have a drink. Of course, it wasn't just about drinking; it was also about exchanging information. Amon, a very rigid person, actually disliked these kinds of social occasions. In his view, maliciously pandering to others was a lowly act. Only those who were adept at social maneuvering would do that. But this time was different; perhaps it was because of the person who invited him that he was treated differently.
0226 Kunke [Please Subscribe]
The 20th Ward Police Station investigator is Nakajima, and the other one is Habara.
They arrived at a small restaurant, a very cozy place, with an atmosphere that made people feel relaxed, both in terms of architecture and decor.
These small restaurants are perfect for relaxing after get off work.
It's suitable whether you're alone or with a few friends.
"Brother Liu's wife is a great cook, so he can't afford to eat at cheap roadside stalls."
"You're so long-winded, Tojo."
"Mr. Liu, you have children at home, right?"
“I have a son who is still in elementary school. He recently said that he wants to become a chef and find delicious dishes that everyone can enjoy. Maybe he inherited it from my wife.”
"A chef? It's really good to have a definite goal." Yamen was quite admiring. As expected of Yiliu's son, he had his own goal at such a young age. Many people don't figure out what they want until they are adults, so this is rare and precious.
Shoufeng is completely different.
"After all, he's still just a child, and it's hard to say what the future holds. Besides, I don't know if I'll live to see him grow up."
Yi Liu's tone was very calm.
But it also voiced the sentiments of countless investigators.
For investigators with families, this is the one thing on their minds most often; the high mortality rate makes this a common concern in this profession. Unmarried people fear marriage, married people miss their spouses, and those with children have an even greater burden of worry.
I want to be there for my wife or husband, and I want to watch my child grow up little by little.
The atmosphere was very heavy, and Tojo noticed this, so he immediately broke the gloomy atmosphere.
"Brother Liu keeps bringing up the topic of depression! Don't worry! You'll definitely be able to enjoy the dishes your grown-up son will cook for you!"
Instead of being comforted, Yi Liu frowned and continued speaking.
"You're being too optimistic. Honestly, it's rare that you got a feather keg capable of long-range attacks, yet you keep missing. Practice your shooting! Shoot!"
"I do! But 'Wild Mountain' just won't listen to me!"
Tojo's Kunk is called Noyama, and he is clutching his suitcase tightly.
"That's just how you are, that's why you haven't been promoted yet." Ichiryu said helplessly. The Tojo he knew was indeed like that.
However, there's nothing wrong with such an optimistic personality. Ichiryu understands this principle well: no matter how worried you are, the danger will not disappear.
What's wrong with staying optimistic?
But he simply couldn't be as optimistic as Tojo.
"Is Mr. Tojo's kunkaku a yukaku?"
"Yes. Brother Liu uses his tail as the forward, and I'm responsible for covering for him."
"Therefore, I also had the experience of almost being shot by him. If I had really been shot, the fact that I couldn't see my son grow up wouldn't be because of 'ghouls,' but because of you."
Tojo ignored Ichiyanagi's complaints and looked at Amon, who was also carrying a briefcase containing the investigator's Quinque.
The Quinque is the investigator's most prized weapon. Depending on the materials and stats, Quinques are graded, ranging from C to SSS. For example, the Quinque made from Ukaku by Hoji Kousuke is an S+ grade Quinque. It resembles a cannon barrel and explodes violently upon hitting a target, causing damage.
0227 Warehouse [Please Subscribe]
The Void Hole is Hōji Kōsuke's quintet, an S+ grade quintet made from a feathered cannon. It resembles a cannon barrel and explodes violently upon hitting a target, causing damage.
"The Kunk of the first rank of Yamen is a Kagaku, right?"
"Yes, this one is 'Cang'."
"'Kura'? Ah, it's from Mado's superior collection... Have you had any dealings with Mr. Mado?"
"Although it wasn't frequent, I heard quite a bit about Kunk from him. Many people gossip about Mado-san behind his back, but my Kunk skills are so poor that I'm not qualified to criticize others. So I simply admire Mado-san, who is skilled in using Kunk and has a high level of expertise in this area."
"I remember that Mado no Ueshi had a daughter—"
"I've kept you waiting for a long time."
The waiter brought over drinks, interrupting him. At this moment, although Amon wanted to find out more about Mado, he remained silent.
"Let's leave the past here. Everyone, let's dig in; the food at this restaurant is delicious."
"But—if the 'ghoul' is the culprit, where would he take the high school girl? Although we found a hairpin stained with the 'ghoul's' bodily fluids, we didn't find any remains of her after she was eaten. Could it be that she actually ran away from home?"
"Tojo, if Morimine hears this, he'll give you a good scolding!"
"But if what I say is true, the victim might still be alive, wouldn't he? What does Amen think?"
"To be honest, at this stage, I can't draw any conclusions yet, but..."
"If the criminal is a ghoul, I will definitely find him and expel him. I will never let him get away!"
“That’s true!” Tojo kept agreeing, shocked by Amon’s imposing manner.
"In any case, Amen, let's focus on this case for now."
"I understand."
About three hours later, Tojo wanted to continue, but Ichiyanagi refused outright, and the party officially ended. After saying goodbye to them, Amon walked alone on the streets of the 8th ward, perhaps this would allow him to delve deeper into understanding things.
"There are no eyewitness accounts, and the high school girl's body after being preyed upon has not been found. Given this situation, it seems the perpetrator likely used their agility to abduct her back to their residence. It's highly probable that it was Yuhe."
No?
"Let's head back today." Amen muttered to himself as he carried his suitcase, having gained very little. He was somewhat disappointed. The difficulty of this case lay in the complete lack of clues, which left the investigation directionless.
With no clues at all, Yamen had no choice but to head towards the station once again.
“I remember this is the shortcut.”
It was a convenient road, a street that Shoufeng had told him about. It was a narrow alley, with only a few streetlights. Because of its remote location, there were almost no passersby, and the only sound along the way was footsteps.
The only sounds were Amen's own footsteps and breathing.
Soon after, Amen heard a commotion coming from not far away. A group of men and women were arguing, their voices growing louder and louder, the men's voices becoming increasingly prominent.
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"What nonsense are you talking about! We were just a hair's breadth away from having everything!"
"I'm sorry, please, I hope this is the last time." The man continued to shout angrily, while the woman, looking weak and frail with tears streaming down her face, trembled as she took an envelope from her backpack and handed it to the man with some fear.
The man snatched it away roughly, and checked the banknotes inside the envelope.
Is this extortion?
"What are you doing!"
Amen shouted, rushing over in three strides. Amen glared fiercely at the man who had uttered those harsh words, but at that moment, the woman stepped in front of the man.
"you misunderstood."
"Stupid woman, do as you please!" The man ran away and gradually disappeared into the distance.
Amen wanted to give chase, but the woman blocked his way. She even desperately prevented Amen from pursuing the fleeing man.
"You've misunderstood! You've misunderstood!"
"Weren't you being blackmailed? You are..." Only then did Amen see the woman's face clearly. In the dim light, it was the elegant lady he had met earlier. Why would such an elegant woman be involved with such a rude man?
So what happened.
The woman seemed to recognize Amen as well.
"I'm so sorry to have shown you such an embarrassing side." The woman smiled sadly, as if she had done something wrong, and then bowed deeply. "But I'm really alright." With that, she turned and left. Her weak figure looked extremely haggard, so helpless in the dark night, as if she might collapse at any moment. Sure enough, she fell down not far away.
Yamen hurriedly chased after him.
"are you OK?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
The woman kept apologizing; she looked quite disheveled. Amen helped her up and asked her what was wrong.
"Are you in a good condition to walk? How do you plan to get back?"
"I just need to get to the station; my family is waiting for me there, so it's really alright." Although the woman was somewhat disheveled, her demeanor remained elegant, just as it had been when he first met her. However, despite her pitiful appearance, Amen's suspicions remained undispelled. The woman was indeed very suspicious, especially her attitude towards such a rude man.
“I’m going to the station too, why don’t we go together?” Yamen suggested to the woman, wanting to confirm his suspicions.
"But..." the woman hesitated.
"Because you gave me directions this morning too."
Amen made up an excuse on the spot, and the woman gave him a gentle smile, seemingly believing his excuse.
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